Contents

About this article

This article provides an overview the features and functions of the Adobe Connect web conferencing system. It is intended for all WSU students and employees interested in attending online meetings using Connect.

What's Connect?

Adobe Connect is a full-featured web conferencing tool that can be used on desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. It supports video and audio over the Internet, document and screen sharing, and more. It is web-based and does not require the installation of any major software application. Meeting hosts can create meeting sites or rooms using the Connect Manager, provide access to those rooms through a URL, and then use the tools available in the room to facilitate engaging online meetings with anyone in the world via a web browser. Meeting attendees can participate in online activities based on the role assigned to them by the host. WSU employees can create and host Connect meetings. WSU students can attend Connect meetings, but cannot create and host them on their own. Connect meeting rooms can be persistent, so you can set them up once and reuse them. Most faculty and staff use Connect to support online meetings (e.g., remote classes, virtual office hours, exam review sessions), but it can also be used in a face-to-face meeting or classroom to support communication and collaboration.

Accessing a Meeting

To enter an Adobe Connect meeting as a participant click on the link provided by the host of the meeting. The link will start with connect.shot.smsu.edu followed by the name of the meeting room.

Select the "Enter as a Guest" option and type in your full name in the field provided and select Enter Room.

Using Adobe Connect

Training

Best Practices

Complete the Audio Setup Wizard before your first session to test your audio. The Audio Setup Wizard can be found under Meeting at the top of the screen. The Audio Setup Wizard will prompt you to complete a series of 4 audio tests. At any point if your audio is not working as expected select the Help button.

For the best quality audio use a headset during your meeting. This will improve the audio and will control the echo and feedback experienced when using video conferencing tools.

Select a location that is quiet and does have distracting background noise (pets, construction, talking etc.). Adobe Connect will pick up any noise present and this can be very disruptive during a meeting.

When you are not speaking mute your microphone.

Keeping your camera turned off during a session will improve the connection.

Adobe Connect is designed to allow the user to actively participate during a meeting. However it can be distracting when multiple individuals are using their microphone to ask questions. It is important to communicate you have a question without interrupting the speaker. One way to do this is to use the Raise Your Hand feature by selecting the icon at the top of the page. Once you have selected this icon an image of a figure raising its hand will appear next to your name on the Participant List indicating to the participants you have something to say. Make sure your microphone is unmuted before you ask your question.

Another way to avoid interrupting the speaker is to use the chat feature located at the lower right corner of the screen. Use the chat to type your questions or comments for all participants to see.

Support

Contact TLT with any questions regarding Adobe Connect. Email TLT at TLT@Winona.edu, please include Adobe Connect in the subject line. Phone support is available by dialing 507-457-5240, option 2 Monday-Thursday 8:00am-8:30pm, Friday 8:00am-4:00pm

If you would like to set up a testing session with a TLT staff member please send a request to TLT@Winona.edu.